Written by Chinsinsi Cheketa
Malawi’s President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has declared 14 days of national mourning and that flags should fly half-mast in honour of victims of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
In his address Wednesday night, Dr Chakwera who described the devastation caused by Cyclone Freddy as the worst Malawi has experienced, said during the period, the focus should be accounting those that are missing and evacuating those stranded to safety places.
Dr Chakwera revealed he has authorized the release of K1.6 billion to assist in helping address the effects of the disaster which has ripped through Southern Malawi.
“Cabinet Ministers have authorized the release of K1.6 billion and the resources are needed as a matter of urgency to enable hundreds of rescue and relief workers to meet the needs of the victims that this catastrophe has left”, said Chakawera.
However, Dr Chakwera admitted that the funds are not enough as the level of devastation is greater than the resources currently available.
Currently, Blantyre is the worst affected district with 154 of the 225 recorded deaths, according to the Department of Disaster Risk Management Affairs (DoDMA).
41 people were still missing while more than 700 others had been injured as of Wednesday due to floods and landslides.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dr Chakwera attended a funeral ceremony of 21 victims, of which 7 were of the same family at Naotcha Primary School in Chilobwe in the commercial city of Malawi, Blantyre.
